You have three choices for how to complete each weekly workbook. You can mix and match across weeks: print one week, write longhand the next, build digitally another. Pick what works for you.

All submissions go to Canvas as a single PDF. The PDF is the only acceptable format. Photos taken in Canvas, JPG files, Word docs, and Google Doc links are not accepted. The directions below show you how to make a PDF on every device.

Rules that apply to every submission

  • Submissions must be in PDF format. Single PDF per workbook (one for anatomy, one for physiology).
  • Pages must be in order. Section 01 first, Section 02 next, and so on through the submission checklist.
  • Every page must have a page number in the top or bottom corner: page 1 of 12, page 2 of 12, and so on.
  • Every page must be labeled with the workbook title (for example: "Week 4 Anatomy Workbook") and the section/exercise number currently being answered.
  • Every workbook must include the name, section, and date on the first page, just like the printed version.
  • Every submission must be complete. Skipping sections earns zero on those sections.
  • Submissions are due Sunday 11:59 PM. Late work is not accepted.

Your three options for completing the workbook

Choose the option that works for you each week. The work and the rules are the same. Only the medium changes.

Easiest grading workflow Best for handwriting practice Reliable for unstable internet
  1. Download the workbook PDF from Canvas (or use the combined weekly PDF). Print it single-sided or double-sided. Both are fine.
  2. Complete every section in pen or pencil. Drawings go in the drawing boxes. Labels go on the numbered key lines. Tables, calculations, and synthesis questions get filled in directly on the page.
  3. Scan all pages to a single PDF. Use a phone scanning app (Adobe Scan, Microsoft Lens, or Apple Notes are all free and excellent) or a desktop scanner. The scanning section below shows you how.
  4. Verify your scan. Pages are right-side up, in order, all visible, no shadows, all writing legible.
  5. Upload the PDF to Canvas in the matching assignment slot before Sunday 11:59 PM.
Best for motor difficulties No printer required Editable, fixable, replayable

Important: digital drawings require revision history. See the PowerPoint/Slides build guide below for the full method, including how to verify your revision history before submitting.

  1. Open the workbook PDF on your screen as a reference for what each section asks.
  2. Open Google Slides, Google Docs, PowerPoint, or Word. Create one slide or page per workbook section. Number each one and title each one with the workbook title and section.
  3. For drawings: use shapes, lines, and text boxes to build each diagram structure by structure. Find a clear reference figure in OpenStax or any anatomy atlas, then reproduce it. Do not copy a finished image from anywhere. Do not screenshot. Build it from scratch.
  4. For tables, calculations, and synthesis answers: type your responses directly into the file. Match the layout of the workbook so it is easy to grade.
  5. Verify revision history exists and shows multiple edits over time. File → Version history → See version history. A flat file with no revision history will not receive credit.
  6. Export the file to PDF. Method depends on the tool; see the PDF Conversion section below.
  7. Upload the PDF to Canvas. If your work is in Google Docs or Slides, you must also share the link with revision history visible in the Canvas submission comments so it can be verified.
03

When you cannot print

Handwrite on blank paper, scan to PDF

No printer needed Works anywhere Costs nothing

If you cannot print, you can complete every section on blank notebook or printer paper. The work is the same. The formatting requirements are stricter because graders need to find your answers.

Format requirements for handwritten paper

  • Page 1 must include: your name, course section, date, and the workbook title (for example: "Week 4 Anatomy Workbook").
  • Every page must have a page number in the top or bottom corner. Format: "Page 3 of 14".
  • Every page must have the section number you are currently answering at the top of the page (for example: "Section 03 · Eye Internal Anatomy").
  • Sections must be in numerical order from start to finish. Do not jump around. Do not skip and come back.
  • Question numbers and letters must match the workbook (for example: "Section 04, question 2a"). Do not invent your own numbering.
  • Drawings must be in the order they appear in the workbook. Label every required structure clearly.
  • Tables must be redrawn or labeled clearly with column headings matching the workbook.
  • Synthesis answers must be labeled with the section number.
  1. Open the workbook PDF on a screen so you can see what each section asks.
  2. Set up page 1 with your name, section, date, workbook title, and "Page 1 of __".
  3. Work through each section in order. Label each page with section number, page number, and total page count. Update the total at the end.
  4. Complete every part of every section. Drawings, labels, tables, calculations, synthesis questions. If you skip any, those sections earn zero.
  5. Stack pages in order. Number them all. Use a paper clip or staple if you have one.
  6. Scan all pages to a single PDF. See the scanning section below.
  7. Verify the scanned PDF. All pages present, in order, right-side up, legible.
  8. Upload the PDF to Canvas before Sunday 11:59 PM.

How to create a PDF from your work

Every device can make a PDF. Find your tool below and follow the steps.

Google Docs

Export Google Docs to PDF

1. Open your Doc.

2. Click File → Download → PDF Document (.pdf)

3. The PDF downloads to your computer. Find it in your Downloads folder.

4. Upload that PDF to Canvas.

Google Slides

Export Google Slides to PDF

1. Open your Slides file.

2. Click File → Download → PDF Document (.pdf)

3. Each slide becomes a page. Verify your slide order is correct first.

4. Upload the downloaded PDF to Canvas.

Microsoft Word

Export Word to PDF

Web/Office 365: File → Download as PDF (or Save As → PDF)

Desktop (Windows/Mac): File → Save As → select PDF from format dropdown.

Mac alternative: File → Print → click PDF dropdown → Save as PDF

PowerPoint

Export PowerPoint to PDF

Web/Office 365: File → Export → Download as PDF

Desktop (Windows/Mac): File → Save As (or Export) → select PDF

Choose "All slides" when prompted. Verify the page order matches your section order before uploading.

Phone scanning apps

Scan handwritten pages to PDF

Apple iPhone (built in): Open Notes app → tap camera icon → Scan Documents → scan each page → tap Save → Share → Save to Files as PDF.

Adobe Scan (free, iOS & Android): open the app → photograph each page → app builds a multi-page PDF automatically → Share → Save or email.

Google Drive (Android): open Drive → tap + → Scan → photograph pages → save as PDF in Drive.

Microsoft Lens (free, iOS & Android): open the app → select Document mode → photograph each page → save as PDF.

If you have multiple PDFs

Combine multiple PDFs into one

Canvas requires one PDF per workbook. If you have multiple, merge them first.

Free online (no account): visit smallpdf.com or ilovepdf.com → Merge PDF tool → upload PDFs in order → download merged file.

Mac (built-in Preview): open first PDF in Preview → View → Thumbnails → drag additional PDFs into the sidebar → File → Export as PDF.

Adobe Acrobat (free trial or Reader): Tools → Combine Files → add files in order → Combine.

Step-by-step: build a workbook digitally in PowerPoint or Google Slides

If you choose Option 02, this is the workflow. The same steps work for either tool. Slides is recommended because revision history is preserved automatically and accessible by direct link.

  1. Open Google Slides or PowerPoint. Start a blank presentation. Title the file: YourName_Week04_Anatomy_Workbook (replace with your week and workbook type).
  2. Set the slide size to portrait letter so it matches the workbook layout. In Slides: File → Page setup → Custom → 8.5 inches by 11 inches. In PowerPoint: Design tab → Slide Size → Custom → Letter Portrait.
  3. Slide 1 is your cover page with name, course section, date, and workbook title. Match the format on the workbook PDF cover.
  4. Make one slide per workbook section. If the anatomy workbook has 8 sections, you have at least 8 slides. Add extra slides for sections that need more space (drawings, long synthesis questions).
  5. Title every slide with the workbook name and section. Example: "Week 4 Anatomy · Section 03 · Eye Internal Anatomy".
  6. For drawings: use the shape tools (Insert → Shape) to build each structure piece by piece. Use lines, ovals, rectangles, and freeform shapes. Find a clear reference in OpenStax or an atlas, then build a copy structure by structure. Do not paste a finished image. Do not screenshot a textbook.
  7. Add labels with text boxes for every structure required in the numbered key. Use lines or arrows to connect labels to the structure they identify.
  8. For tables and calculations: use Insert → Table to add tables, or use text boxes to type out responses. Match the column headings from the workbook so it is easy to grade.
  9. For synthesis questions: add a text box with your full answer. Do not summarize. Match the same depth you would write by hand.
  10. Save constantly. Both tools auto-save, but verify File → Version history shows multiple saves over time. If you build the entire thing in one sitting in 30 minutes, your revision history will not look like genuine work and may be flagged. Build over multiple sessions across the week.
  11. Verify revision history before submitting. File → Version history → See version history. You should see multiple timestamped versions. Take a screenshot of this view if you want extra protection in case of disputes.
  12. Export to PDF. See the conversion guide above. Verify all pages exported in order.
  13. Submit: upload the PDF to Canvas, AND in the submission comments paste a link to your Slides/PowerPoint file with revision history accessible. If using Slides, set sharing to "Anyone with the link can view" so the instructor can see version history without requesting access.

Common problems and what to do

My phone scanned the pages out of order.
Most scanning apps let you drag pages to reorder before saving. If you already saved the PDF, use a free merge tool (smallpdf.com, ilovepdf.com) to split, reorder, and recombine. Out-of-order pages are the most common reason for partial credit.
My handwriting is hard to read in the scan.
Scan in good lighting, hold the phone directly above the page (not at an angle), use the document mode in your scanning app to enhance contrast. If still illegible, retake the photo. Illegible pages may receive partial credit only.
Canvas rejected my upload.
Most common reasons: file is over the size limit (compress in Adobe Scan or use smallpdf.com to compress), file is not a PDF (re-export from your tool), or wrong assignment slot. Verify the file is a PDF and try a different browser if needed.
My internet went out before I could submit.
Document the outage with a screenshot or email your phone provider for confirmation, then email Dr. Rennie immediately. Submissions that arrive within 6 hours of a documented outage will be evaluated case by case. "My internet was down" without documentation is not accepted.
I built my drawings digitally but forgot to enable revision history.
Google Slides and Google Docs preserve revision history automatically. PowerPoint preserves it if you save to OneDrive or SharePoint. If you built locally on PowerPoint without OneDrive, your work cannot be verified and will not receive drawing credit. For digital builds, always use Google tools or PowerPoint with cloud save enabled.
I cannot print and I don't have access to a phone scanner.
Free desktop scanners are available at the campus library. Free PDF print packets are also available; ask Dr. Rennie if you need one. Use Option 03 (handwrite on blank paper) and ask for help on accessing a scanner before the deadline.
My drawings look bad. Will I get less credit?
No. Drawings are graded on accuracy and completeness, not artistry. As long as the structures are recognizable and labeled correctly, you get full credit. Do not waste time making them pretty. Focus on getting every required structure labeled.

Before you hit submit: pre-submission checklist

  • The file is a PDF, not a Word doc, image, or link.
  • Every page has a page number (page 1 of __, page 2 of __).
  • Every page has the workbook title and section number being answered.
  • Page 1 has my name, section, and date.
  • Pages are in numerical order from Section 01 onward.
  • Every section is complete (drawings, labels, tables, calculations, synthesis answers).
  • Pages are right-side up and legible if scanned.
  • If I used Option 02, my revision history is verified and the link is in the submission comments.
  • If I used Option 02, my drawings were built structure by structure, not copied from anywhere.
  • The PDF is uploaded to the correct assignment in Canvas (anatomy or physiology, matching the week).
  • Submission is before Sunday 11:59 PM.